First to Fight

Written by Charles Husemann on 10/4/2004 for

Most of the Marine characters in the upcoming military first-person shooter, Close Combat®: First to Fight(tm), are actually active-duty United States Marines, rather than fictional characters. Most of these Marines are currently serving, or have just returned from their second combat tour in Iraq.

Players are assigned three Marines to fill their four-man fire team at the beginning of each mission. Approximately

15 of the 20 possible unique fire team members in First to Fight are actual active-duty U.S. Marines.

Here are short biographies of five of these real-life Marines

	NAME: Rudy M. Lacroix RANK: Staff Sergeant UNIT: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines AGE: 32 HOME TOWN: Detroit, MI NICKNAME: Blackfoot WHY HE BECAME A MARINE: “To serve my country. Family tradition.” WHY HE’S PROUD TO BE A MARINE: “Because the Marine Corps makes you a better person, and we are all brothers regardless of rank.” WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A MARINE: “There are no words to describe what another Marine will do for his brother in a time of need or in combat.” HOBBIES: Fishing, surfing, snowboarding, softball. FAVORITE QUOTE: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. (John F. Kennedy)”
	NAME: Michael Vaz RANK: Sergeant UNIT: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. India Company. AGE: 27 HOME TOWN: Berrien Springs, MI NICKNAME: Big Mike WHY HE BECAME A MARINE: “I wanted to challenge myself mentally and physically and I wanted to see the world.” WHY HE’S PROUD TO BE A MARINE: “1. The honor of being a Marine. 2. Being able to carry on the tradition that was set by my predecessors. 3. Knowing that I have made a difference in the world.” WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A MARINE: “Knowing that once you are on the battlefield, nothing else matters except for covering the man on the left and right of you.” HOBBIES: Snowboarding, golfing, working out. FAVORITE QUOTE: “Most people go through life wondering if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem.” (Ronald Reagan)
	NAME: Eddie Garcia II RANK: Corporal UNIT: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. Bloody “G”eorge Company. AGE: 27 HOME TOWN: Bronx, NY NICKNAME: Prime WHY HE BECAME A MARINE: “My family has served in the Marine Corps during every war since the Korean War. I grew up reading about the honor of knights, noblemen, and samurai and I wanted to be part of the modern-day equivalent.” WHY HE’S PROUD TO BE A MARINE: “1. The Marine Corps discipline. 2. The importance of being part of the history and tradition of the Marine Corps. 3. Marines are at the tip of the spear.” WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A MARINE: “Our friendships are born through hardship and shared experience. We are men united in our love for the Marine Corps and all its traditions.” HOBBIES: Reading, video games, working on my home, movies. FAVORITE QUOTE: “Semel Insanivimus Omnis -- We have all been mad once.”
	NAME: Trustun Connor RANK: First Lieutenant UNIT: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines AGE: 29 HOME TOWN: Sheridan, WY NICKNAME: T-Bird WHY HE BECAME A MARINE: “Honor. Courage. Commitment.” WHY HE’S PROUD TO BE A MARINE: “No better friend. No worse enemy.” FAVORITE QUOTE: “War is Hell.”
	NAME: Hector Arellano RANK: Staff Sergeant UNIT: 3rd AABN, 1st Marines AGE: 31 HOME TOWN: Los Angeles NICKNAME: Casanova WHY HE BECAME A MARINE: “To serve my country, and to leave the mean streets of Los Angeles.” WHY HE’S PROUD TO BE A MARINE: “1. Being able to protect my country. 2. First in my family to serve in the military. 3. Proud to be at my buddy’s side in combat.” WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A MARINE: “Marines have a deep respect and love for one another.” HOBBIES: Pitbull breeding and lots of sports. FAVORITE QUOTE: “An eye for an eye.”